Leon Cenerini played on one the top high school defenses in the nation this fall. The man in the middle for the St. Paul’s Crusaders was a part of a defense that gave up a total of 22 points in 10 games (regular & playoff). Yep – 2.2 points per game.
Class:
2013
Position:
LB
Commitment:
None
Consideration:
Queenās, Calgary, Guelph, McMaster, Manitoba and Ottawa
Teams:
St. Vital Mustangs
St. Paul’s Crusaders
Team Manitoba U18 (Football Canada Cup)
Winnipeg West U16 (Red River Classic)
Leon started playing football at the age of ten with the St. Vital Mustangs. He played for St. Vital for four years and played in two championship games, winning one. He mostly played running back at St Vital.
Then going into grade nine he tried out as linebacker for the Saint Paulās Crusaders. That year he made the AA team, but unfortunately missed the majority of the year due to an injury. That same year, the team won the AA championship in an upset win over the Grant Park Pirates.
In grade ten Leon made the top Saint Paulās team (AAA). That year, the team made it to the championship game but lost a tough game to the Oak Park Raiders. That same year saw Leon play with the Winnipeg West team at the under 16 Red River Cup tournament, which they won over the Winnipeg east team in an exciting 17 to 14 win.
Finally, this year he played for the U18 Manitoba provincial (Football Canada Cup) team as middle linebacker. The team finished in sixth place with a 1-2 record. And this highs school year for St. Paulās, the team won the provincial championship and had an astounding season.
Leon has had many memorable football experiences but the biggest “so far was probably winning the Red River Cup with the Winnipeg West team. With only a minute left in the game Winnipeg east was driving down the field, down by three points, when our team got an interception to end the game. That game I was also named defensive MVP. But as good as that win was, a win against Oak Park this week at the WHSFL championship would probably top it.”
Leon credits his parents for being “supportive since the beginning and have helped me get better all the time as a player and a person. They also come out to every game to come and support me. Also the coaches Iāve had have an influence on me to be the best football player I can be on and off the field.”
Leon considers himself “lucky to be a part of a very good defence that has seven defensive players from team manitoba. My football idol is Adrian Peterson because i’ve always been a vikings fan and i love the power, the speed and intensity that Peterson runs with. Eventhough, Peterson is running back and i’m on defence he’s the player i enjoy watching the most!”
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